Israel wants to partner with Goa on Smart City, other sectors

Israel on Wednesday expressed desire to collaborate with Goa on the Smart City project and in several other sectors, and also take part in the 'Defexpo' to be held in the coastal state next year.

"The Israeli Government plans to work together with Goa in various areas like agriculture, Smart City, eco-tourism and business," said Daniel Carmon, Ambassador of Israel.

Carmon, on his first visit to Goa, was talking to media persons at Porvorim near here. He was accompanied by Israel's Consul General David Akov.

"As part of an initiative with Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, we have developed centres of excellence with our Indian counterparts. Twenty-six such centres in agriculture have come up in ten states.

"As of now, Goa is not in the list of states which have such a centre. But, we are talking with Goa Government to create a centre for excellence here as well," he said.

The Israeli envoy also met Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar and some of his Cabinet colleagues.

"We have expertise in solar energy, water recycling for urban and rural areas in Israel which we are willing to share with Goa," said Akov.

Israel will have a strong presence at the defence exhibition, 'Defexpo India 2016', where it will showcase its capabilities, the Israeli Ambassador said.

The exhibition will be held from March 28 to 31 in Quepem taluka of South Goa.

"It would be a mistake to characterise defence relationship between India and Israel as just buying and selling of defence equipment. Both countries have long experience of co-operation and friendship," Carmon, said.

Both sides are also collaborating on Barak 8 project.

"Barak 8 is a research and development project, which Israel and India's DRDO are doing together," he said.